“Like most people when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer it affected me on a physical and emotional level. Obviously I was very concerned and emotionally depressed since I was only 58 years old. I am a medical doctor, so as you can imagine, there were several concerns about the different treatment options available; the 2 biggest ones being: first and foremost the eradication of the cancer and the second was erectile dysfunction. So I thoroughly researched all of my options.

According to Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez, for the past 10 years or so, manufacturers of testosterone replacement products have been advising men that a little more testosterone won’t hurt them.

Ad campaigns have created the illusion that typical symptoms of aging – including fatigue, muscle loss, and reduced libido – are all signs of decreased testosterone levels. And boosting those levels with replacement drugs was depicted as helping men feel more energetic, vibrant, and younger.

But according to your Miami urologist, recent studies have warned that testosterone replacement therapy may bring serious risks, including the higher potential for heart attack and stroke. The FDA launched an exploration into the safety of the drugs at the beginning of 2014, and in March 2015, representatives announced they were requiring product manufacturers to update warning information on product labels to list the potential cardiovascular risks.

Now, your Miami urologist advises that there may be another reason to worry about taking extra testosterone. A recent study out of the University of California showed that additional testosterone could potentially increase a patient’s risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—prostate enlargement.

There is other evidence that testosterone is likely involved in BPH, as men without testes also have low rates of the disorder. Reducing levels of male sex hormones has shown to be an effective way to treat BPH. And some studies have linked higher testosterone exposure to higher rates of prostate cancer.

The bottom line is that testosterone therapy may help you to feel younger, but at what cost? Levels usually decrease with age, and there are concerns that tampering with that natural process may be putting unwanted stress on the body.

Time for prostate cancer screening? Questions about testosterone replacement therapy? Call the office of best Miami urologist Dr. George Suarez today to schedule a confidential consultation.